Costumes rule at San Diego Comic-Con fan fest

SAN DIEGO — More than 130,000 fans are expected at San Diego’s Comic-Con during the next few days for autograph signings, TV and film presentations and toy shopping. But more than anything else, this fan fest is all about the costumes.

And while other entertainment confabs typically wind up with an award show honoring artistic content, Comic-Con’s finale is an award show celebrating artistic costumes.

But fans at this year’s Comic-Con weren’t waiting until Saturday night’s annual Masquerade Ball to strut their stuff.

Day One on Thursday saw the San Diego Convention Center come alive with all manner of heroes, villains and other assorted creatures, from “Sharknado” sharks to characters from the original “Kill Bill.”

And oh yes, the “Star Wars” gang was in full force, too — as it should be. It was the Storm Troopers who helped start the Comic-Con costume craze light years ago.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fans Kira Vine, left, and Angie O’Brien attend day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

A fan in a huge robot costume towers over sightseers in the Gaslamp District on first day of the 2015 Comic-Con International held at the San Diego Convention Center Thursday, July 9, 2015 in San Diego. The pop-culture event runs July 9-12. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Invision/AP)

Jonah Katz, 14, of Montebello, N.Y., dressed as “Two-Face,” attends day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

A costumed fan writes a text in front of the convention center on the first day of the 2015 Comic-Con International held at the San Diego Convention Center Thursday, July 9, 2015 in San Diego. The pop-culture event runs July 9-12. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Invision/AP)

Mike Auger, of Corona, Calif., carries his son Austin, dressed as Spiderman, as they arrive to day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer shakes hands with people dressed as Stormtroopers from the “Star Wars” films at an event on the first day of the 2015 Comic-Con International at the San Diego Convention Center, Thursday, July 9, 2015 in San Diego. Comic-Con runs from July 9-12. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Invision/AP)

Take the Leap of Faith at the Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Experience 2015 during San Diego Comic-Con Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego. Free for all attendees 16 years and up, no badge required. (Photo by Jack Dempsey/Invision for Ubisoft/AP Images)

Two zombies wander through the Gaslamp District on first day of the 2015 Comic-Con International held at the San Diego Convention Center Thursday, July 9, 2015 in San Diego. The pop-culture event runs July 9-12. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Invision/AP)

Jarina Montgomery, of San Diego, Calif., dressed as a Zombie, walks outside the Convention Center on day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

A fan dressed as Snow White attends day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Tonya Wise/Invision/AP)

Fans attend day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Fans Kira Vine, from left, Angie O’Brien, Lauren Pfannenstiel, and Libby Putman attend day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Costumed actors promoting the the television show the “Hand of God” walk in front of the Hall H line on first day of the 2015 Comic-Con International held at the San Diego Convention Center Thursday, July 9, 2015 in San Diego. The pop-culture event runs July 9-12. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Invision/AP)

Danny Adams of Encino, Calif., dressed as Noog Dood, attends day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Dustin Agosta of Akron, Ohio attends day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Bryan Cranston and Jillian Bell seen at “Supermansion” Panel and Press Line at 2015 Comic-Con on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for Crackle/AP Images)

Seth Green seen at Supermansion Comic Book Signing at 2015 Comic-Con on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for Crackle/AP Images)

Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth seen at Lionsgate “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2″ Presentation at 2015 Comic Con on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Lionsgate/AP Images)

Elijah Wood seen at Lionsgate’s “The Last Witch Hunter” and ‘Cooties’ talent signing at Comic-Con 2015 on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Lionsgate/AP Images)

Jeriko Salazar, of Monterey, Calif., dressed as The Grinch, asks a question during the “Doctor Who” panel on day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Matt Dayhoff started as a photographer for the Journal Star in 1992 shortly after graduating from the Ohio University School of Visual Communications. In 2009, he moved into the newsroom as an online editor and producer and is now responsible for helping manage and edit much of the editorial content on pjstar.com.